This year's BluesBaltica festival starts on 21 May

04.05.2010 |

More than 60 world famous musicians will participate in this ARS BALTICA granted event which takes place in Eutin/ Germany.

For the 21st time BluesBaltica, one of the largest European blues festivals, will take place in Eutin/ northern Germany. From the 21st to the 24th of May, 2010 (Whitsun weekend) numerous world famous musicians will fire up the audience and celebrate the blues open air. There will be artists from the USA, France, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Latvia, Switzerland and Canada. This year's motto is "Young & Fresh". Once more, the festival connects the Baltic countries through Germany with the North American motherland of the blues.

The exciting program consists of 24 events with more than 60 musicians. Whether rock or swing, electric or acoustic – the blues is guaranteed to be very intensive. At the BluesBaltica, the musicians will present a large variety of styles like Texasblues, Bluesrock, Chicagoblues, Boogie Woogie, Mississippi-Deltablues, Jump, Folkblues, Shuffle, Memphisblues, Countryblues, Westcoastblues or Rhythm'n'Blues. This year's motto "Young & Fresh" mirrors the large number and diversity of very young musicians (some far under 30 years old), who will bring you the blues in a fresh and modern way.

The organisers are especially proud of having engaged "Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy" (USA). The "Texas Queen of Blues" (photo) and her band won the 2005 International Blues Challenge and the 2009 Blues Music Award. Diunna is known to be one of the world’s best blues singers and really knows how to fascinate the audience with her incredible voice and stage presence.

Another highlight will be Marquise Knox (USA, vocals, guitar, harp) and his band. At this year’s BluesBaltica they will have their very first concert in Europe. Born in Granada, Mississippi, Marquise learnt to play the guitar from his grandmother. He is said to be one of the most promising talents of the American blues scene. Being only 18 years old, he was nominated for the Blues Music Award (best newcomer), this year.

Another "Young & Fresh" artist making an appearance in Eutin this year is CW Jones and his band from Canada. This exceptional guitarist is a multiple winner of the Canadian Blues Award, taking the international scene by storm with his stunning performances.

For Rita Engedalen from Norway, Brazzattack from Switzerland, the Boogie Boys from Poland, Big Dez from France and the Sharpnotes from Sweden, the BluesBaltica blues festival will be this year’s only concert in Germany.

Last but not least the winners of the German & Baltic Blues Challenge 2009, the Latvian Bluesband (Latvia), Georg Schroeter & Marc Breitfelder (Germany), Grahn & Malm (Sweden) and Hootin' the Blues (Germany) will top this fantastic program which on Monday night comes to a thrilling finale with the performance of Ray Schinnery & Band (USA).

Admission is free on all four days! Show times are Friday 16:00 – 23:00, Saturday 13:00 – 23:00, Sunday 13:00 – 23:00 and Monday 12:00 – 21:00. To cover part of the expenses we will again sell solidarity stickers for a small donation.

After closing the market square program, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday live blues will continue into the early morning hours with the blues parties at Eutin’s bar/restaurant "Alte Mühle". Starting at approximately 23:30, some of the artists will perform in the "Mühle's" legendary blues club atmosphere. Exciting jam sessions can be expected!

Finally, the organisers would like to draw the attention to the exhibition "Portraits of the Blues", opening on Thursday, May 20th at 19:00 at the Café & Galery Klausberger located at Eutin’s market square. The exhibition will present photos of Aigars Lapsa from Latvia, an internationally renowned blues photographer. Most of the photos that are shown in the exhibition were taken at last year's BluesBaltica in Eutin.

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